Explosive shell



fGj.W.TURNER.V Explosive Shell.

`"Patented June 249, 1880.

l UITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE W. TURNER, OF ROONEVILLE, MISSISSIPPI.

ExPL'oslvE SHELL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent ineens, dma June" as, 1880;

Application tiled January 20, 188i).

and it consists in the combination of the bodyf|` of the shell',having'inclined air-inlets, and ai telescopic`tubearranged wit-hin the rear end ofthe shell, to be extended as a caudal append age by the force of the air after the shell leaves the mouth ot' the gun, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

In the drawings. Figurelrisa longitudinal Y 'section of my shell with the caudal appendage closed. Fig. 2 is` a similar view, showing the caudal appendage extended. Figs. 3 and 4. are detailed views.

A represents the body ot' theshell, made in cylindrical form, of the bestlaminated steel or lron.

B is the breech or breech-pin, ttting the size of the shell, with heavy screw-threads to prevent explosion in the rear, and in the center ofthe breech is screwed or otherwise fastened a metallic tube, C, for incasing the fuse. A percussion-cap, a, is placed o'n the rear end ofthe tubeG, anda iianged cap, D, covers the same, as shown.

lln front of the breech B is the powder-chamber E, and in front of. this again a chamber for thcinissiles l?,I which latter should accordv in size with the caliber ofthe gun and the pur vposes for which they are intended.

In the front end of the shell is inserted the cap or point G, made in the usual form for elongated shells, and having a neck which lits ,the muzzle of the shell with small screwthreads.

In the rear of the breech B is formed a chamber for containing the caudal appendage, which consists of two or more telescopic tubular sections, I I, held in the shell by means of an annular ring, d, fastcnedon the shoulder -metal or material. 'to close the rear end mog the shell. Directly in'rear of the breech B are inclined herein set forth.

e in the extreme rear end'of the shell. tubes or tubular sections are to be made of galvanized iron, zinc, or other non-corrosive A sabot, H, is then fitted holes or air-passages b, through which theair enters as soon as the projectile leaves themuzzle of the gun, and, acting a ainst thecircumferential flange of the cap ,removes the same from the end of the tube G. It also throws out the sabot H and causes the telescopic caudal appendage to be extended, whi ch, acting as a feather to an arrow, prevents the -shell from turning in 'the air, or, in other words, keeps the point of the shell directly in -frou t.

The point G is hollowed out, as shown, formipgwrallambenj, which is to be filled with bucks-hot, adding largely' to the destructive qualities of theprojectile.

For ride-gunsahe caudal appendage may be dispensed with and a wooden plug putin, with a center hole to accommodate the fuse-plug.

l lAt the rear end ot' the shell are attached two sheet-metal cups, L L, each of which is struck up ot a single piece and has its edges notched. The two cups are placed together, 'so as to have the metal between the notches overlapping. These portions of metal or teeth will spread when the gun is tired and take into the riding, so as to give the rotary or twisting motion to the shell.

These Having thus fully described my invention, l

vwhat ,I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

ln an elongated shell, the combination of the body A, having inclined air-inlets b, and

In'testimonythat I claim` the foregoing IV have hereunto set .my hand this `16th day ot' January, 1880.

, G. W. TURNER. Witnesses:

` H; AUBEEYTOULMIN,

H. J. ENNIs.

gun, substantially as 

